2/1/12 Update from Pastor John

What a difference a year makes! Last year about this time we had well over a foot of snow on the ground. Schools were closed. All the local stores were sold out of sleds. Joplin was an unknown small city. Mission Joplin was only a dream in the heart of God.  Fast forward to 2012. The weather is beautiful. The high school meets at the mall. Stores have lots of sleds in stock. Joplin is a household name. And Mission Joplin joyfully serves those whose lives are much more difficult than a year ago.

I like the line Tom Hanks says in Castaway: “Never give up because you never know what the tide will bring in the next day.” The Bible says it a little differently, “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” (Hebrews 10:23) At Mission Joplin we consider it a privilege to help people hold onto hope. We are open tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and need volunteers, sheets, jelly, flour, sugar, rice, canned meat, canned fruit, socks (especially kid’s socks), underwear, kitchen tables appliances, and a cold mist humidfier. We believe that by helping people get back on their feet and connect with God, by this time NEXT year, we can be rejoicing, “What a difference a year makes!”